Eric Berger

Eric Berger is the executive vice president of digital networks at Sony Pictures Television and general manager of Crackle, the studio’s global streaming network. In his position, Berger oversees Crackle’s programming, marketing, distribution, product, video operations and engineering, as well as ad sales for Crackle and PlayStation. Berger is also responsible for the development, production and distribution of original features and series created for Crackle. As the executive vice president and general manager of digital for Sony Pictures Television (SPT), he leads all digital operations and initiatives in the over-the- top and traditional linear TV networks business.

Under Berger’s direction, Crackle has become the leading Over-the- Top, premium ad-supported network and he has been at the forefront of Crackle’s transformation. Long before other networks announced upcoming streaming plans, Crackle has been operating as a television network with a core focus on creating entertainment content, programming it and delivering it—over the top, on every platform. This model speaks to the evolution of the TV industry and is at the forefront of how TV Networks will increasingly address consumer behavior. As the GM, Berger oversees the original programming studio that produces and distributes award-winning series and feature-length productions, including The Art of More, Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser, Dead Rising, Chosen and the upcoming series StartUp as well as commissioning Sports Jeopardy!, and Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. Crackle is available online, on connected TVs and game consoles, and mobile devices, currently accessible in 21 countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Latin America and Brazil.

Additional GM duties include running the digital businesses of Sony Pictures Television’s networks worldwide, which includes 150 channels reaching 1.3 billion cumulative households with brands such as Sony Channel, AXN, and Animax.  Solutions include TV Everywhere and Second Screen applications for shows such as the AXN original production Hannibal, as well as the Subscription On Demand (SVOD) service Animax in the UK.

Berger also oversees programming, marketing, operations, product development and engineering. He expanded the business from US-based and online to 30 applications/platforms in 21 countries including Canada, Australia, Brazil and Mexico, to name a few.  Further, he created and leads a proprietary sales organization that supports Crackle and the PlayStation platform, as well as PlayStation Vue; this includes sales offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as sales solutions, pricing, yield management and ad operations.

In addition, Berger is responsible for other SPT Networks businesses in North America, overseeing 3 linear channels—Sony Movie Channel, CineSony and GetTV. He also oversees the Sony Pictures Television Games publishing business (studio and distribution of applications across all phones and tablet); properties include Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and Sports Jeopardy!

Berger joined the company in 2006 as vice president, mobile entertainment where he guided SPT’s mobile games division from 17th to 5th place in the market and successfully launched video services on all major mobile operators. In 2008, Berger was named senior vice president, digital networks, and was responsible for creating and syndicating content to major online and mobile providers.

Prior to Sony Pictures, Berger was vice president of strategic planning at Time Warner Inc. (AOL, HBO, Turner Broadcasting, Time Inc., Time Warner Cable, and Warner Bros.) where he was responsible for wireless initiatives and the creation of new digital growth businesses. His efforts included shaping the company’s overall mobile strategy, including driving investment, acquisition and business development.

Berger is on the Executive Committee to the Governor for the TV Academy’s Interactive Peer. He is also on the Consumer Electronics Association Content and Entertainment Board of Directors.

He received his BA from Colgate University and his MBA from New York University.